Toyota Family Learning returns to Las Vegas
We’re proud to announce The Public Education Foundation has been awarded a $175,000, three-year grant for Toyota Family Learning from NCFL and funded by Toyota.
The Foundation is the 12th organization to become part of the Toyota Family Learning program. (Watch video of the announcement here.) Three other organizations will be unveiled this year. In total, Toyota has committed $10 million over a six-year period for this national education initiative.
The Foundation’s goals in implementing Toyota Family Learning at host campuses across the district include connecting families to resources and providing opportunities for Family Service Learning that engage both children and adults.
“The Toyota Family Learning model provides us with a pro-active, innovative, and results-driven approach to helping families engage in their schools and communities,” said Judi Steele, president and chief executive officer of the Foundation.
More than 300 parents and children are enrolled in Toyota Family Learning at seven Las Vegas-area elementary schools: Paul Culley, Crestwood, Matt Kelly, JT McWilliams, Petersen, Ruby Thomas, and Sunrise Acres.
Parents and their children spend more than 10 hours a week learning together in this free program. In addition to gaining skills to help their children succeed in and outside the classroom, parents also build important technology, language literacy, and job skills.
Danelia Partida says she hopes the skills she’s learning will help her in a new career. “I’ve seen my family improve in many aspects of our lives – my children are improving academically and I’ve learned how to be a better mother and wife. But my favorite part is spending quality time with my family. Having the opportunity to spend time with my children in the classroom allows me to learn and help them at the same time.”
With a focus on English, academics, and family engagement in education, participants learn skills such as organization and leadership through Family Service Learning, a six-step process that simultaneously helps parents and children build critical skills. The projects include a school uniform recycling program, organizing a safety week exposition, and a beautification project aimed at cleaning up graffiti.
“The impacts from Toyota Family Learning will be seen and felt for decades to come,” said Dr. Joshua Cramer, director of family engagement initiatives, NCFL. “By elevating parents and children through education and technology training, they are able to make a difference in their own lives, as well as the community.”
NCFL has been working with the Foundation since it was awarded Toyota Family Literacy funding for two-generation programming in 2008.
The Public Education Foundation, created in 1991, has worked with the goal of improving public education in Southern Nevada by effecting transformational change in teaching, learning, and education leadership. The Foundation believes in working collaboratively with educators to ensure that the students of Southern Nevada not only succeed in the classroom but also in life. The Foundation serves the 318,140 students of the Clark County School District and their families. Over 90 percent of students at the host schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and more than 48 percent are English language learners.